I'm looking to upgrade my current phonostage. My pricepoint would be $500 tops (got a wedding to pay for), but i don't mind looking used. I'm currently using a Cambridge Audio 640P phonostage w/ a Technics 1700 mkII and an AT 150mlx cartridge. Preamp is Parasound Classic 2100. Power amp is Avahifi Insight 240/3. Speakers are Salk Songtowers crossed over to an Epik Legend handling the low lows.
I realize that at this price point i probably won't be able to get a "perfectly" neutral phonostage so if i've got to er it would be to a more laid back, relaxing sound.
I've thought of the Vincent PHO-8, Musical Surroundings Phonomena I or II (havent read much about the differences between these), and the Jolida 9. So, any opinions or recommendations?
Most of the differences with regards to "neutral" or "laid back" are related to frequency spectrum variation.... which in turn is primarily related to loading and not so much to phono stage.
ie: loading makes a much bigger difference than phono stage (as long as you have enough gain and accurate RIAA EQ)
Of the ones you have mentioned, the phonomena are the only ones that offer decent loading options, and they also have a great reputation.
To your list I would add as a possibility:
Firestone Audio Korora
I recently upgraded my own phono stage - and was having a hard time choosing...
My list ended up with
Korora
Phonomena
JLTI
The JLTI is by far the most expensive - but a great deal swung me that way regardless.
All of these have the ability to adjust cartridge loading widely - which will do far more for achieving a neutral (or warm / laid back ... take you pick you choose how you want to tune it!) result than the usual buy and pray approach.
The JLTI achieves this through loading plug RCA connectors at the rear - you need to purchase or make loading plugs of whatever value desired/required. - Advantage is infinite flexibility, disadvantage is the need to solder the plugs, or purchase them seperately.
The JLTI needs to be ordered / specified with a higher than standard inbuilt resistor to take maximum advantage of this - mine has 500k Ohm internal.
The Korora has dip switches internally, providing some adjustment capability, but also an empty resistor slot, which can be filled with a high value resistor (500k or 1M) - after which an external double adaptor and loading plugs can be used as per the JLTI. (when ordering it, you can ask the factory to fit the desired resistor at no charge...)
The Phonomena is the easiest to use of the 3 in that it has these dip switches at the rear which provide a lot of settings without needing to have loading plugs. Most of these settings are unfortunately MC focused, only 50k and 100k are for MM/MI - but using external loading plugs will then allow variation between 50k and 100k as well as below 50k.
I have not adjusted an AT150MLx for optimum, but as a couple of examples:
AT440MLa - best at 32k (best being defined as flattest most neutral response) - (200pf)
Shure M97xE - best at 62k with original stylus (400-500pf)
Shure M97xE with SAS - best at 47k (400-500pf)
Every cartridge / stylus combination is a bit different - so varying the stylus type on a cartridge will vary the optimum load... (the two MAY have the same optimum load, but it is unlikely - as per the N97xE vs the SAS above)
Good luck with your decision
bye for now
David
